The Budget builds on Australia’s aged care reforms including new laws to put the rights of older people first, improving:
- choice and control of your care
- fair pricing and protections
- support and ways for you to voice concerns
- regulation and funding to keep providers accountable.
The new Aged Care Act 2024 (the new Act) starts from 1 July 2025. Budget investment will continue to support implementation of the new Act.
$4.0 million is also committed to expand the aged care surge workforce support to respond to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland and part of northern New South Wales.
Recognition for those who care for older people
$2.6 billion Fair Work Commission Aged Care Work Value Case – Aged care nurses, supporting and building our aged care workforce with better and fairer wages will ensure older people continue to receive safe, high-quality care.
$30.1 million Commonwealth Home Support Programme existing grant agreement uplift to meet increased award wages from the Fair Work Commission Stage 3 decision of the Aged Care Work Value Case.
This funding recognises those who care for older people in Australia, making sure aged care workers are valued and paid for their skills, experience, training and knowledge.
Recent award wage increases enable retention and recruitment of registered and enrolled nurses, as well as relieving cost of living pressures.
Assessment for older people to access the right services
$4.5 million Single Assessment System – updated pricing study and extend current assessment contracts with state and territory governments.
$48.7 million to support all assessment providers, public and private, to support implementation of the New Aged Care Act and Support at Home.
$60.3 million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Assessment Organisations – culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed aged care assessments for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The single assessment system, including the assessment of Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) clients, will be supported to meet the requirements of the new Act.
Funding is also committed to provide tailored assessment for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to meet cultural needs and promote fair access. Expanding culturally appropriate services will mean older people from diverse communities can get the care and supports they need.
Innovation in remote locations
$2.4 million Establish a Cooperative and Mutual Enterprise Support Program – extend program for new and innovative models of social care delivery in thin markets.
$0.7 million Remote Accord – communication and support for remote providers.
Regional, rural and remote providers and communities will benefit from further investment to support:
- development of innovative business models to deliver care services in locations where mainstream approaches have not been successful
- effective communication and support for remote providers as they transition to the new Act to deliver aged care reforms.
Continuous sector improvement
$5.7 million National Centre for Monitoring Dementia – dementia data projects to inform effective planning and service delivery.
The government will continue to research, collect data and identify opportunities for continuous aged care sector improvement, including funding the National Centre for Monitoring Dementia (NCMD) through the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Best-practice regulation
$116.1 million Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) funding – to deliver existing and new regulatory functions under the new Aged Care Act.
Continued investment in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will ensure the regulator is ready for the start of the new Act. A well-equipped Commission will advance best-practice regulations, safeguards for older people and monitor aged care providers.